How my innate love for tea was deeply satisfied in Sri Lanka
Yes, yes, Sri Lanka is THE land of tea. Everyone, including my forgetful aunt, knows that. Is there anything else the country is undoubtedly famous for though besides tea? The island IS surrounded by a stunning coast and beautiful beaches, rich culture, deep history etc., but if you have visited the hill country, you’ll know THIS is what the country is all about.
From the time the large metal contraption that you’re in gracefully lands on the island, you’ll see plenty of tea adverts, tea offers, tea kiosks, tea tours, well you get the point. Another thing you’ll quickly realise is that, the locals are absolutely crazy about tea. Stressed? Have tea. Hungry? Have tea. Feeling sick? Have tea. Too stuffed from lunch? Have tea. Just woke up from an afternoon nap? HAVE. TEA. Sri Lankans will just about look for any reason to have a cup of tea, even though the humidity levels are insanely high — picture Monica’s (FRIENDS TV show) hair in Barbados, kinda high.
I came across a hotel on the island that was all about tea — and I thought, well, maybe this is exactly what I need, right?
Ceylon Tea Trails, part of Resplendent Ceylon is a Relais and Chateaux property in Sri Lanka. The hotel is collectively made up of 5 restored colonial-era tea planter bungalows surrounding the shimmering Castlereagh Reservoir in Hatton. The bungalows are dotted around the reservoir about 1 km from each other. You can opt for a boat or car transfer between the bungalows. This gives you complete privacy and seclusion while being surrounded by misty tea mountains. Sounds surreal, doesn’t it? Well, it gets better.
As if being surrounded by tea plantations and living in a tea planter’s bungalow wasn’t enough, being “extra” is what Ceylon Tea Trails strives for. I was served tea in the garden, in the lounge and during our tea trail picnic (not including during meals obviously!). Each item on the menu was specially crafted and some of them were infused with….wait for it… TEA! The hotel has their own vegetable patch, so you get to eat nothing but healthy, fresh veggies.
To top up this luxury experience, I had a personal butler who woke me up with a warm cup of freshly brewed Ceylon black tea. He’ll even draw your bath and carry your picnic basket! It’s the ultimate tea experience!
Check out this video on the health benefits of drinking Ceylon’s iconic black tea.
And finally, to complete my tea experience in the hills of Ceylon, I was taken on a tour of tea, right from the art of plucking tea in a lush tea plantation to a busy factory where they process tea before it ends up in your cup. The tea tour is completed with a private tea-tasting session.
Tea lovers, trust me, if you live and breathe tea, a stay at Ceylon Tea Trails is the adult equivalent of Disney World.